The Chinese elm cultivar Ulmus parvifolia 'Emer I' or 'Emerald Isle' (trade designation: ) was cloned from a tree planted circa 1920 on the University of Georgia campus at Athens.
Description is a small tree rarely exceeding 6 m in height, with a slightly broader, dense and rounded crown. The leaves are a medium, glossy green, turning drab brown in autumn. The exfoliating, mottled bark is considered very attractive.ca.uky.edu, Plant Pathology, Ulmus parvifolia 'Emer I' = ATHENA
Pests and diseases The species and its cultivars are highly resistant, but not immune, to Dutch elm disease, and unaffected by the elm leaf beetle Xanthogaleruca luteola. As with the species overall, damage caused by Japanese beetle is relatively slight.Brady, C., Condra, J., & Potter, D. (2008) Resistance of Landscape-suitable Elm (Ulmus spp.) Cultivars to Japanese Beetle, Leaf Miners, and Gall Makers. 2008 Research Report, Nursery & Landscape Program, pp 15, 16. University of Kentucky.
Cultivation featured in the elm trials conducted by Northern Arizona University at Holbrook, Arizona, but was unsuited to the hot, arid climate and sustained over 50% mortality in its first year. It is currently being evaluated in the National Elm Trial coordinated by Colorado State University. It was also tested in the United States for cold-hardiness. was introduced to Australia in 2002 as part of the Australian Urban Street Planting Programme ; it is not known to have been introduced to Europe.
Synonymy ? 'Athena Classic' (unchecked name)
Accessions
North America
Bartlett Tree Experts, US. Acc. nos. 96-2159, 2000-076,077,079,081,083,084, 2003-941,942, 00-064, L467, L468. New York Botanical Garden, US. Acc. no. 3934/95 University of Idaho arboretum, US. One tree. Acc. no. 1998011 U S National Arboretum , Washington, D.C., US. Acc. no. 69142. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida.Photographs of U. parvifolia 'Emer I' in Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida; Handbuch der Ulmengewächse (Handbook of the Elm Family); ulmen-handbuch.de No accession details available.
Nurseries North America (Widely available) Australasia Fleming's Nursery , Monbulk, Victoria, Australia.
References
External links http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/cultivars/ulmus_parvifolia.htm Ulmus parvifolia cultivar list. https://web.archive.org/web/20030413074605/http://fletcher.ces.state.nc.us/programs/nursery/metria/metria11/warren/elm.htm Return of the Elm - the status of elms in the nursery industry in 2000. Warren, K., J. Frank Schmidt and Co.